Taib, standing on board a jeep, smiles at members of the participating contingents prior to the parade. Behind him is Abang Johari.

SIBU: The morning drizzle did not dampen the spirit and enthusiasm of the spectators converging on the town square here for the grand parade yesterday, held in conjunction with Yang Di-Pertua Negeri Sarawak Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud’s 82nd birthday celebration this year.

(From left) Abang Johari shares a light moment with Taib as they watch the parade.

Crowds of people had gathered at the event’s venue as early as a couple of hours before the arrival of Taib and his wife Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Raghad Kurdi Taib at around 8am.

The event proceeded with Taib inspecting the guard-of-honour, which comprised members of the Royal Malay Regiment (RMD).

Later, Abang Johari joined the Head of State in inspecting the participating contingents – all 121 of them representing government’s ministries, departments and agencies, as well as the corporate sector and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

Taib witnesses the contingents marching by, as Raghad records the event on her smartphone.

After Abang Johari delivered his speech, all members of the contingents chanted ‘Dirgahayu’ (Malay word for ‘longevity’, referring to the ‘Long Live’ wish to a King or a Head of State) three times.

This was followed by Taib leading the cake-cutting ceremony, witnessed by Raghad, Abang Johari, Uggah, Awang Tengah, Asfia, Jabu, Wong and other dignitaries.

The contingents later paraded along the square, cheered on by the spectators who appeared unperturbed by the rain.

Many of them were spotted taking selfies and wefies using their smartphone cameras, which they carefully manoeuvred under umbrellas or plastic sheets to protect their devices from getting wet.

The flawless, in-sync march by the men and women from Sibu District Police Headquarters wows the spectators.

Troops from the Malaysian Army give high-spirited shouts during their march.

The men from Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department move in unison as they march past the grandstand.

Members of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) contingent carry along party flags during the march.

This contingent represents Wong’s Ministry of International Trade and E-Commerce.

The womenfolk representing the Melanau Sibu Association look beautiful in their traditional ensembles.

Participants of the Rajang Port Authority contingent exhibit diversity by wearing costumes of different ethnic groups.

The participants from University College of Technology Sarawak march on.

Members of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youths and Sports contingent show to the spectators two mascots that are identifiable to Sarawak — the crocodile and the orangutan.

Members of the contingent from Universiti Teknologi Mara Sarawak sport the ‘carnival’ look through their marching costume.